Improvement in bolts for freight-cars



c. E. SHANAHAN;

Improvement in Bolts for Freight-Cars, etc.

No. 132,739. Patenied Nov. 5, 1m".

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CHARLES E. SHANAHAN, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOLTS FOR FREIGHT-CARS, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 132,739, dated November5, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O. E. SHANAHAN, of South Bend, in the county of St.Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented certain Improvements inLatches or Bolts for Freight- Oar or other Doors, Gates, &c., of whichthe following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of bolts or latches adapted tofreight-car orother doors where there is a likelihood of a little jarcausing them to come open, and is so arranged as to prevent thatlikelihood.

In the accompanying drawing, A represents. the door, to which the boltis attached. B represents the jamb, to which the door closes. O (3represent the two simple staples or eyes in which the bolt moves, andare attached to the door A. D represents an eye or staple similar to OO, fastened to the jamb B, and in a horizontal line with O G. Theopening or eye in this staple is elongated perpendicularly. E representsthe bolt proper, the shank of which is made in a curved form between thetwo staples, O O, and at the ends is rounded, where it passes throughstaples 0 (3, so as to slide or revolve, as is required. F representsthe forward end of bolt E, made flat at right angles to the curve of theshank, the flattened part being made of such dimensions as to passthrough the elongated openin gin stapleD. The flattened end is providedwith square shoulders next to the rounded part of the bolt E;

also an opening, as a, to admit of a padlock,

if desired.

The whole construction being described, its operation will now be given.The curved part of the'bolt E will hang downward of its own accord andwill of course keep the flattened end in a horizontal position, andwhile in that position (having first passed through the elon gatedopening in the staple D) is at right angles to the elongated opening,and will not jar open of its own accord. The door being closed andbolted is unbolt ed and opened by simply taking hold of the curved shankof bolt E, raising it up ninety degrees, bringing the flattened end Finproper position to be moved backward out of the staple D, when the dooris made free to open or close.

I do not claim the manner of fastening the bolt to the door, or themanner ot'sliding it, for I am aware that these are not new; but I claimas my invention- The curved shank of the bolt E, with its flattened endF, together with the staple D, substantially as and for the purposehereinbefore set forth.

CHARLES E. SHANAHAN.

Witnesses:

MILTON V. BULLA, ALFRED HALL.

